# NTSB CHI98LA045: Piper PA-28, N1447H, Lakeville, MN, November 23, 1997

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: November 22, 1997, 18:00 local (Nov 23, 1997, 00:00 UTC)
- Place: Lakeville, MN
- Location: 44.6497° N, 93.2427° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs: center of Lakeville, MN, within about 6 miles (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=44.6497&lon=-93.2427&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Approach](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/500) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 2 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report May 29, 1998
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 10789
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=CHI98LA045
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/10789/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/CHI98LA045

## Probable cause

geese that were encounter on an ILS final approach.  Darkness was a related factor.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- In flight collision with object, approach - faf/outer marker to threshold (ifr)
  - light condition - dark night (contributing factor)
  - object - bird(s) (cause)

## Analysis

The pilot reported they were flying a practice ILS-Localizer approach and had intercepted the localizer when the airplane collided with waterfowl. The flight continued to the airport, where an successful landing was made. Postaccident inspection revealed the airplane had been struck by approximately 10 geese.

## Factual narrative

On November 22, 1997, at 1800 central standard time (cst), a Piper PA-28-140, N1447H, operated by a private instrument pilot and a certified flight instructor collided with approximately 10 geese during an approach into the Airlake Airport, Lakeville, Minnesota.  The airplane was substantially damaged.  Neither pilot was injured.  The 14 CFR Part 91 personal flight was being conducted in visual meteorological conditions.  The flight originated from the Flying Cloud Airport, Minneapolis, Minnesota, at 1730 cst.

The pilot reported they were flying a practice ILS-Localizer approach to runway 29 at the Airlake Airport when the accident occurred.  He reported they had been vectored for the approach and had intercepted the localizer when the airplane was struck by waterfowl.  He reported that after the strike they experienced smoke in the cockpit which was a result of some of the waterfowl remains inside the engine cowling.  The pilot stated they reported the strike to air traffic control and continued to Airlake Airport where a full stop landing was made.

Post accident inspection of the airplane revealed that it had been struck by approximately 10 geese.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N1447H](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N1447H), registered now, S/N 28-7725144, built 1977 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: Piper PA-28
- Registry model: [Piper PA-28-140](https://openairdocs.org/model/piper-pa-28-140) (registry code 7102802) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming 0320-E3D](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-0320-e3d) (registry code 42398, 4 cycle) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 28-7725144
- Airframe hours: 3737
- Engines: Lycoming 150 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: David E. Markovich
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, May 21, 1997, 22 hours before
- Departed: FCM, MINNEAPOLIS, MN
- Destination: Y12
- Airport: LVN, Airlake

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 35; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; instrument ratings: airplane; medical: class 3, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 528 total, 260 in this make and model, 527 as pilot in command, 1 in the last 90 days, 1 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Night/dark
- Wind: 250° at 8 knots
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: -4 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19971122038629A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19971122038629A), Nov 22, 1997: Piper PA28140, Lakeville, MN, Substantial damage. Narrative: pilot on approach at night struck multiple geese. Structural damage to vertical fin leading edge, and in engine cowling. Landed without incident.…

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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